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The 42-year-old, who used to live in Sandhurst, has spent countless hours promoting her petition and corresponding with grieving parents, MPs and trade unionists, to try and get the issue on the Government's agenda.

Her hard work appears to have paid off, as on Wednesday, July 19 MP Kevin Hollinrake introduced the The Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Bill into Parliament.

"Words cannot describe how I feel at the moment"

"I'm ecstatic," said Mrs Herd, "I found out last night when I got an email from the business and innovation department and it all feels a bit surreal.

"Words cannot describe how I feel at the moment, there is complete and utterly overwhelming joy and utter sadness at the same time.

"I wish I hadn't have had to campaign due to my tragedy and wish that I knew about the lack of compassion from employers without Jack dying.

Lucy Herd's son Jack

"It is almost the seventh anniversary [of Jack's death], which is on August 27, so it feels like we're finally getting some closure."

There is currently no legal requirement for employers to provide grieving parents with paid leave, but that will change if the bill becomes law. It is due to have its second reading in the autum.

"I always knew in my heart I had to make a positive out of this tragedy," said Mrs Herd.